66
D
Lack of socialization is perhaps the main criticism of homeschooling. When
children are taken out of school they cannot interact with other pupils or engage in
school activities, including team sports. Later, a young person may find it difficult to
integrate in ordinary social settings or lack the coping skills to deal with the demands
of everyday life. Socialization outside of the home can negate some of these short
comings, bearing in mind that the homeeducated child is likely to have more
free time to engage in recreational activities. Indeed, it might be argued that the
socialization experienced in the natural setting of a community is preferable to that
within the confines of a school.
E
Whilst homeschooling has its shortcomings it also offers several advantages.
Tuition is on a onetoone basis so it can be personalized to meet an individual
child’s needs. There is no strict curriculum so the teaching can be readily adapted
for those with special educational needs or learning disabilities. Children are allowed
to develop at their own rate, and attention can be focussed on subjects that a child
enjoys or has a particular aptitude for. Parents can provide religious education and
impart moral values consistent with their own beliefs, and they can also include
subjects that may not be available in their local schools, for example Latin or
Archaeology. The timetable is entirely flexible with no time wasted travelling to and
from school, no lack of educational continuity when moving home, and no restric
tions on when to take family holidays. It should come as no surprise that with all these
benefits, homeeducated children usually outperform their schooled counterparts
academically. However, this is not conclusive proof of the effectiveness of home
schooling. Parents who homeschool their children tend to be welleducated and in
a higher than average income bracket. Consequently, these parents are more likely
to show an interest in their child’s education, encouraging compliance with home
work and offering support, meaning that the child would probably have performed
well had they remained within the school system.
F
Parents who educate their children at home may choose to shun school com
pletely. Despite this, local schools should offer parents and children support and
guidance, extending access to school trips, library resources, recreational facilities,
syllabus information, assessments and examinations. The future of homeschooling
and its position in the education system are uncertain. Nevertheless, it is the duty
of the state and the parents to ensure that homeeducated children are given
an education that affords them opportunities in life and equips them for the world
of work.
TEST 3
Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: |